Very fun RTS/RPG game. It is certainly challenging and makes you feel like you are there.
Your character learns spells, and has weaponry, and armor they can equip. They get very strong as the game goes on and they level up. Pretty soon they are taking on like 4 foes at once.
You feel in tune with your avatar, and I find I make sure he's always in the middle of the fight, so I feel connected to what's going on.
Some missions are pretty tough, they require you to build a max size army several times over as the opponent's base/forces will wipe your army out several times.